Anastrozole and Stiffness: What Users Say

• car...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 4, 2018

Anastrozole for Breast Cancer "Diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, Stage 1 - no lymph nodes involved. Had Lumpectomy, Brachial Therapy Radiation, and 5 rounds of chemotherapy. I was ER-Positive, therefore, chemo was recommended because after Oncotype DX was done, it showed I had a 16% chance of cancer coming back. I have been on Arimidex for seven years. Initially, lots of stiffness, but I hired a personal trainer, I weight train, run, and do yoga. Praise GOD, I'm doing very well, and no stiffness!! Don't settle for what the drug is doing - work on yourself, and you may be surprised how much better you will feel if you incorporate some exercise into your routine!"

• Fre...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 5, 2014

Anastrozole for Breast Cancer "I took Arimidex for 5 years and only recently stopped. I had quite a few side effects, however, the joint pain and stiffness were the hardest. I heard about something called Ubiquinol, which is apparently something that is naturally produced in your body, but slows down quite a bit as you age. I've been taking it daily now for a few months and I have to say, the stiffness and joint pain have mostly subsided. I say mostly because I forget to take it some days. I'm trying to get better about taking it daily with a multivitamin. It's kind of expensive but it's way cheaper and better than any of the medicine alternatives I was offered by my doctors. I don't like taking medicine for every little thing. Plus there's a hundred side effects to worry about."

• Roc...
• February 28, 2020

For Breast Cancer "I'm 66. I've been on Arimidex for 6 months. That was following a lumpectomy (stage 1 invasive ductile carcinoma, 1.6 cm) and 33 radiation treatments. The first month I had no side effects. The second month I started to experience sleep disruption and mood swings. Now I've progressed to having joint pain, worst in my left shoulder and elbow (surgery side), pain in the left chest/breast where the tumor was removed. In the last two weeks, my right thumb started to stiffen up - trigger finger. Sleep disruption went away after a month but returned during the sixth month. I was taking Arimidex 2 hours before bed, and I'm going to try taking it first thing in the morning to see if it stops the sleep disruption. In the last month or two, I have started to feel basically unwell and very stiff, especially when I wake up in the morning. I'm feeling kind of depressed. I do yoga twice a week and try to walk twice a week as well. Perhaps I will increase my exercise. Blessings. Good luck to you."

• Anonymous
• October 15, 2012

Anastrozole for Breast Cancer "I've been on Arimidex for 4 years and 1 month, prior to which I took Tamoxifen for 5 months. During the first year, I developed a frozen shoulder, which my oncologist said could be due to the Arimidex. I experienced extreme joint stiffness, which gradually subsided after 9-12 months. I had intense hot flashes, which are now lessening. Other side effects include insomnia, vision issues (detached retina - but am also very myopic), pronounced facial aging, dry skin (I am 57 years old), and thinning hair. Additionally, I also experienced depression and mood swings starting 3 months after starting Arimidex. I did not take medication for it, but I have noticed that it has gradually lessened over the last 1 1/2 years."

• Anonymous
• January 31, 2012

Anastrozole for Breast Cancer "I started taking Arimidex about 4-5 months ago as a breast cancer patient. I'm supposed to take it for 5 years. The side effects I've experienced are insomnia, hot flashes, headaches, weight gain, joint pain, and severe loss of grip in both hands. My hands are stiff in the morning and evening, it's just crazy. Well, even throughout the day. I asked my oncologist about this, and he said it was arthritis, which I do not believe. The onset was too quick. It was about 6 weeks after I started taking the Arimidex then the hand stiffness showed up."

• Tri...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 24, 2012

Anastrozole for Breast Cancer "I have been on Arimidex for 4 years 4 months. I have had the hot flashes, vision issues, bone density weakening, joint pain and stiffness, depression, mood changes, insomnia, back and bone pain, thinning nails (of already thin nails), weakness in hands and now, my hair is breaking off and drying out. My doctor wants me to hold on until the end of the 5 years. Not sure I can."

• gra...
• April 14, 2014

For Breast Cancer "I have been taking anastrozole 1 mg daily since 2/2011 for the treatment of breast cancer. I have not received chemotherapy or radiation. This is truly a dreadful disease that imposes a life sentence on you. I too can attest to some very uncomfortable side effects, but I also accept that there is really no medicine which is side effect-free. I feel stiff most of the time, my muscles ache, and I am weary. For the most part, I walk very slow and have problems ascending the stairs. My migraines had subsided as I age, but they have started to hit me up again. Nevertheless, I am truly grateful to this medicine and intend to take it for the duration. I am glad it has assisted in the arrest of the disease. I am 60 years old."

• Lau...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 8, 2019

For Breast Cancer "I recently started taking Anastrozole a month ago. I had invasive ductal carcinoma (stage 1) and had surgery to remove the tumor in August of this year and then went through 16 treatments of radiation therapy. Within 2 weeks of taking Anastrozole, I noticed a considerable amount of hair loss (thinning). Besides the thinning of my hair, it also caused dryness and coarse, more brittle hair. I've also experienced slightly more stiffness in my joints, although I just turned 55, and I suppose with my age, it can also be contributing more. I hope that the medication works out and I don't have to switch to another medication. My oncologist has asked that I take the medicine for 5 years. Wish me luck! I hope others on this site are able to find a solution that works for them."

• nyn...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 12, 2014

For Breast Cancer "Have been on this medicine since February following a lumpectomy. After reading the other posts, I now realize the stiffness and soreness in my hands might be a side effect. It happens every morning. I also have severe flushing and sweating, which is new for me. The worst is the swelling in my feet and legs, severe at times. I am now aware that all of the above started after February. I will discuss it with my oncologist. Very thankful for this forum."

• Kim...
• September 10, 2014

For Breast Cancer "I am new at taking anastrozole (30 days). For the past week or so, I found it impossible to get up and around for work because I was so sleepy. I think it has increased my lower back pain, and it has been hard getting up from bed due to pain and stiffness. My oncologist advised me to quit today until we can discuss alternatives. I am 59 and had a partial mastectomy and radiation."

• MEB...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 5, 2015

For Breast Cancer "Began taking this medication about a month ago. So far, have no sweating, but the arthritic pain is pretty high. Arms fall asleep when sleeping in most positions other than sleeping on my back. Have also noticed 'tingling' on the left forward part of my brain. Comes and goes. Hair loss, but not extensive. Finding it difficult to tie shoelaces - middle finger, left hand--knuckle keeps popping (painful). Lots of soreness and stiffness in the upper part of my spine. Yesterday (8/4), thought I had a chunk of donut stuck in my esophagus, but I can still feel something there today. Will need to contact the oncologist for guidance on that."

• hig...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 25, 2023

For Breast Cancer "Within 2 days of starting this drug, I stopped sleeping, over a few weeks, I developed restless leg syndrome, severe joint pain in knees, hands, shoulders, in addition to stiffness in my back and difficulty standing up straight. My ankles filled with fluid. By the 7th month, I developed severe depression and was generally disabled physically and emotionally. I actually contemplated moving to an assisted living facility at 70 years old. I quit the drug at 9.5 months, and issues resolved within 2 weeks. I was prescribed this drug to prevent the recurrence of early-stage invasive ductal carcinoma that was completely removed during surgery and had not spread to lymph nodes. Taking this drug was the worst thing I have ever done to myself."

• Bet...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 28, 2012

Anastrozole for Endometrial Cancer "Endometrial stromal sarcoma: I've been on this medicine since the hysterectomy/pathology report in March, about five months. Too soon to tell if it is working, but so far, so good. The side effects are as stated by many already: increased joint pain and stiffness everywhere, especially in the hands and feet, increased weight, minor and occasional dizziness, increased feeling of tiredness. I'm going to request a bone density scan to monitor the risk of osteoporosis. It is all tolerable so far, but I hope it doesn't get worse, and I hope none of it is permanent."

• run...
• July 25, 2017

For Breast Cancer "Diagnosed April 2016. Stage 2, Grade 3. Lumpectomy. I finished doxorubicin hydrochloride (Adriamycin) and cyclophosphamide, followed by treatment with paclitaxel (Taxol) - ACT regimen in October 2016, and then radiation, January 2017. I was 100% estrogen positive and 90% progesterone positive. I was HR negative. I refused the anastrozole at first, but since I have been taking one pill every other day. I have been taking it for 4 months. I am 66. I have trouble sleeping (never previously). My energy has decreased. My muscles in my back are stiff along with my joints. I think I am retaining fluid in my limbs; not sure. I've gained 7 pounds. Sometimes my fingers lock and then snap; weird. I'm praying and trying to eat all the cancer-killing foods; quite a regimen."

• Kat...
• August 12, 2017

For Breast Cancer "Breast cancer diagnosed in October 2016; lumpectomy, chemo, and radiation. Started anastrozole in May 2017. Most noted side effect - severe burning, numbness, tingling, and stiffness in my hands, along with my little finger on the right hand having a finger-hammer effect. With all of the studies in breast cancer, there must be a study on natural estrogen inhibitors. Does anyone know of such a drug? My hands burn like flamethrowers!!"

• Kar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 21, 2024

For Breast Cancer "I am taking anastrozole for one month, and I have a lot of bone pain in my lower leg and pain in both of my hips plus my spine. I feel stiff. I walk 2 miles a day and try to keep moving. It is a difficult drug to endure for 5 years. I am hoping in my meeting with my oncologist he will prescribe Celebrex for my arthritis pain. It might help. I have no other problems."

• Rho...
• December 15, 2022

Anastrozole for Breast Cancer "Arimidex gave me severe bone and joint pain, so much so that I could hardly walk. I stopped taking it weeks ago and now am on prednisone to stop arthritis (bone pain) from it. The prednisone is helping decrease pain and stiffness, but it is not completely gone yet. This pill is so strong, or at least for me, was not worth taking."

• Not...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 14, 2022

For Breast Cancer "Diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma, Stage 2, at age 45 in June 2021. Had a lumpectomy and 5 weeks of radiation. Took tamoxifen for eight months, then had a full hysterectomy and was changed to anastrozole in May 2022. Not many side effects the first few months, for the last 2 months, I have had a lot of muscle and joint pain. I told my oncologist I was going to stop taking the medication. It has now been three weeks, and I am still having a lot of pain from head to toe. I also have fibromyalgia, so at first, I wasn’t sure if the pain I was feeling was related to that. This pain is definitely worse and nothing like I have felt before with fibromyalgia. I am very stiff, especially my hands and fingers in the morning. I have pain in the bottom of my feet, my knees, hips, hands, and elbows. My doctor agreed to stop this medication for a month or so to see if the side effects go away and then start on another AI, no thanks! ☹️"

• Hot...
• March 20, 2015

Anastrozole for Breast Cancer, Metastatic "Was taking it for 6 months. Side effects were bad: headaches, every bone joint ached and stiff. Moody, depressed, and memory was bad. Will be going on tamoxifen, hope it's not as bad."